How To Kick In and Install A Room of Carpet

[Green420Reaper]

Awsome thanks for that.!! Good vid bro..

[donaldsterling]

I need to buy some padding and re-stretch a small area of carpet at the bottom of my basement stair well. I had a small amount of water. This video gives me a good start on doing it myself. I also plan to use this knowledge to install really hideous orange shag carpeting at my hated father in law's house next time he is on vacation. Thanks, carpet dude!

[d00d00dumb87]

how much is average labor on a 1600 sq ft home ?

[TheDonromm]

Firstly, you've seamed the doorway while the hall was stretches but the bedroom not. Big no-no. Second, your kicking technique is no good, both in force and the placement of your free hand. Most severe problem is you ki king INTO your net wall, which gives an improper stretch. You NEVER kick into a net. I don't mean to be offensives, but these are standard trade techniques for a reason.

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@TheDonromm You always install hallways first seam the rooms onto the hall and then stretch away, I never kicked hard into my net wall I only set it, and glad to know I have a bad kicking technique after 25 + years of installing!

[NoOneIsSafeAnymore]

ShowMeTheFloor, thanks for your videos...they are excellent videos for learning. I was wandering if you could do a video on installing carpet over concrete floor and the appropriate way to nail in the tacking strips over concrete floors. Also, could you tell us when it is a good time to use the double sided tape over concrete floor. Thank you so much and God (YHVH) bless with peace and success. Remember, have fun.

[maholyoke]

Great video..thanks..



[BALLSofSTEEL351ci]

Thank you for taking the trouble to make this video to help people like me who just want to do a small room on a tight budget..

[jenn3711]

this is by far the best carpet install video on utube! so informative and easy to understand! =]

[seocom]

Great vid.. my friend is getting ready to re-carpet his home now I can help and know what I am doing..

[SavannahL14]

good input,.. enjoyed your video

[darryl163]

awesome! i stretch my rooms in the exact same way..,i use to do this every day doing 200 yards plus with stairs until i bought a power stretcher!!! nice work!!

[kleallopez11]

U have done a really nice job teaching me how to do it and...i have very small rooms and little budget so this is gonna help me save some money thx alot...by the way nice attitude

[ShowMeTheFloor]

Smile big guy! This video is for people who do it themselves and can rent a kicker! I always use a power stretcher! It's my "best friend"!

[BigDelHawk]

According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, the go to authority on carpet and rug installation, it is MANDATORY to power stretch in carpet. 1% stretch length and width on synthetic backed carpets. You need more training.

[BigDelHawk]

You really should power stretch in your carpet.Lots of hacks out there who have never been fully trained. My family has owned a floor covering store for fifty years and carpet that is not stretched in properly can detach from the backing or it will usually end up with waves in it. Lots of guys out there who do not know that they do not know how to install flooring properly as they were taught by the same type of hack.

BTW, learn to use a power stretcher, it will save your knees.

[huertachf23]

Thanks for this really good video, I will install my own carpet and this helps a lot!

[ShowMeTheFloor]

I have been installing carpet since 1979 and have NEVER had a warranty voided by a manufacturer measuring a 4" or 12" bow in the backing. I also asked several other installers and they have never heard of such a thing. This video is called how to "kick" in a room of carpet. Of course you should always use a power stretcher when needed. Also those "poor" moldings don't have a scratch or mark on them. Do I have to make a video on how to correctly use a stair tool to tuck carpet?

[jgreco1978]

If you ever have issues with the carpet and it gets inspected by the manufacturer they will void your warranty after finding it was only kicked and yes they can tell by either the 4" or 12" bow in the backing of the carpet from the force of the kicker or power stretcher. So maybe a room will last with just a kicker but technically everything should be power stretched. And those poor moldings!!!!!

[yongnara]

hi thx for the video, im trying to open a carpet installation company in my country, but i know nothing bout it, thx for ur tutorial u did great job..

[yongnara]

@yongnara and all those tool are not available in my country, then i hv to learn to invent it hahaha

[rydomart911]

I have fitted carpets for five years and all I've used is a kicker, I think power stretchers look too time consuming, in fact no carpet fitter I know has used one, but saying that I'll need to get myself a wall trimmer because using a knife trim it done is a pain in the arse.

[5560bt]

helpful !!!!

[15loudog]

are you from jersey?

[kjyell111]

If you're a do it yourself guy like me, It's a good vid to help know how it's done. Hats off. Good vid.

[cudahy3922]

why not take five extra minute's and pull out the stretcher!! Buddy you need to do less kicking and more stretching carpet will last longer tight and your knees will last longer too!!!

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@cudahy3922 this was a very small room with inexpensive carpet and I made this video to help people install small rooms who only have a kicker.

[sonicvictory]

@cudahy3922 Ahh sorry Nobody uses a stretcher, it is not efficient and unnneccasary , as stretching the carpet is never the problem nowa days,. I do not see jute back carpet any more except on wool which is thin enough to stretch with a kicker easily. Do not be fooled by OLD carpet videos.

[sonicvictory]

@sonicvictory 

[sonicvictory]

@cudahy3922 Also, I have been an installer for 20+ years and kicking the kicker is not what kills your knees. It is 'being on them', especially when I instal hardwood especially ceramic.

[jsmythib]

Nothing like nice soft apartment rug in the summer- kicks a mile :) Have you checked out the stinger(end) for the power strecher? Works great on cut piles that allow it- better install, faster and less work..all things installers like :)

[john6283a]

Thank you for sharing your trade, it's very informative. We bought a new home a couple of years ago, and you can tell our carpet was indeed installed by the LOWEST bid. I'm looking at a lot of loose areas where the carpet is rising up for a few inches, so obviously needing re-stretched, and eventually as money permits, replaced. With your videos, I feel confident to tighten things back up! Thank you.

[kcm731k]

your a fuckin book nerd qualifiedinstaller...thats how a real installer installs carpet in the real world u fuckin nerd...thats how i do it an been doing it for over fifteen years an i never have problems with restretches..would u rather have a doctor opperate on you the needs to read a book to perform the operation or would u rather have the doc thats been doin it for thirty years an knows by experiance an feel. ..stick your CRI book up your ass u rook....that dude knows his shit

[jsmythib]

@kcm731k I have always found the best installers before all else have good manners.

[kcm731k]

holy shit! ive seen so many carpet install videos on you tube...i laugh laugh laugh...you install carpet exactly like i do...thhat is exactly how id do that room..to a tee! ive seen so many styles an videos an you install exactly like i do..only diff is i like to use a hook knife to tuck cuz i think it does a better job combing the fibers...kudos brother...i been at it 15years..is that pro source from northeast ohio?

[josgaleldo]

Wow nice jub!! i need to install my carpet too

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@Simplyredefined Glad I could be of help. If you are replacing your carpet shop around and get the exact size that you need. In stock carpets are always less expensive.

[chinh101]

thanks so much for this video. i currently have 1 question, when should we use a power stretcher? you completed this room without a power stretcher but alot of people say we need it.

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@chinh101 A power stretcher is never a bad idea, however if the room is less than 20 feet and the carpet is warm it can be installed with just a kcker

[lawes84]

This video really helped me. Just did a DIY job fitting a small bedroom 10'x10'. Carpet came out really well. Just re-watched this video, and just wanted to say you make it look so easy. :) The tricky part I found was the cutting with the knife, I was worried I'd cut too much off. I might attempt a bigger room next time. Thanks alot...

[eddiemayes]

stair tools scuff base boards use plastic tuckers

[ferrari1334]

Haha next thing you knw they will use it for the stairs

[ShowMeTheFloor]

On the wall you set, the carpet can just make the wall and then be tucked into the tackstrips. The walls you stretch to you should have at least an inch running up the wall. If a carpet just fits you have no choice. Also if too much carpet is running up the walls it will get in the way so you should trim it down so only 2 or 3 inches is running up the wall.

[sirpacc]

@ShowMeTheFloor thanks again

[sirpacc]

i apologize if this question has been asked before. What is the rule of thumb, or how much excess are you leaving past the tack strip to be tucked into the wall. Or, do you measure a certain distance up to or past the wall?

[ferrari1334]

If u do the job right u don't need a power stretcher

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@ferrari1334 true, especially for a small room. Some people act like they power stretch everything even closets lol!

[brainsfiles]

G'day mate! Nice clean instructional video! Sir, you are a Gentleman & a Scholar. I got back into the carpet cleaning biz a couple years ago and this has reminded me of some nice simple techniques I've long forgotten. I get requests quite often about doing minor repairs or re-stretching/re-tacking and I'm no longer going to say no. Videos like this is just what is needed to give good instruction that leads to confidence to add an extra service to customers. Thanks mate!

[ShowMeTheFloor]

It is possible to kick in a smaller room without ever getting wrinkles. I made this video for people who just want to install a small room by themselves and usually they just rent a kicker. Your Dad is right by using a power stretcher . 

[MortalgamingVideos]

You don't want to kick in the whole room, That's how wrinkles form, I install carpet with my dad, and We power stretch everything, We never get called back on restretches...

[gno231]

Thanks for posting this. I have been a general contractor for 12 years and have seen many guys install carpet. I am going to do 10x15 room tonight and am glad I found this video. If there were seams I wouldnt attempt it though.

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@gno231 No problem, glad it helped.

[HOMEnHIGH]

dont that shit fuck your knees up...?

[gaeilgeisgomaith]

Hello ShowmeTheFloor can you tell me exactly what is the 'Kickers' job apart from the obvious that is! does it plant smll nails in the floor or something?

[nickelfer]

You NEVER "KICK IN A ROOM". I am a CFI certified installer, and you ALWAYS USE A POWER STRETCHER !!!! This Idiot gives Carpet Installers a bad Name....

[madkisser915]

@nickelfer Upload a video of yourself performing a carpet installation the easiest way possible.

[dirtdiver1310]

@nickelfer F ing A right ! I'm CFI too. I've been doing this for seven years. This guy walks on my job the first thing i'm doing is taking that kicker away from him untill the steps are ready. Only in Crazy World would a 12x10 room would be acceptable to kick in . At the very lest a stretcher head with a spike.

[sonicvictory]

@dirtdiver1310 CFI and know nothing. The lamest thing I ever heard. Nobody uses one. Most of our carpets come from the states and stretchy jute back is never seen, except on wool carpets. Why would you think that overkill stretch is nessacary. Yes carpet needs to be stretched, but a kicker does the job. Speed is important, and it is not kicking the kicker that wears out knees.Nobody uses it here. They exist, but for very large rooms and restretches on old thick carpet, then yes, neccasary.

[iforgotmypwagain]

@sonicvictory Hacks like you give a bad name to REAL tradesmen that take pride in their work.

[toomush2drink]

Thank you for taking the time to upload this video, its been very helpful and ive just installed my own carpet from what i learned in it.

[losplebes3231]

dont that cause knee problems?

[teddytheking1]

I changed my carpet just by following your directions. Thanks very much, you really helped me out, gracias amigo.

[MrStabler63]

To ShowMeTheFloor; I've done a lot of research of DIY carpet installation online to save money. I have learned how to removed an old carpet, paddings, tackless strips & cleaning.. So I'm proud of myself. My next project is to install a new carpet. I'm scared. But this video has shown me many great points to follow. Hopefully, I'll be alright. Thank youf for sharing, Btw, 12 minutes to installed the carpet in this room is quite impressive.

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@MrStabler63 Take your time, always cut carpet from the back, make sure your kicker head is clean and apply

weight to the head to keep it from ripping the carpet, also keep kicker about 3 inches from the wall.

[SynthMusicUK]

nice work.... hha your going to end up with severe knee injury if u carry on like that

[123555555]

great job

[Qualifiedinstaller]

WOW!!

If you’re going to show a conventional carpet installation you should at least show the correct procedure. Even though this is on YouTube people watch this and think they are observing a professional installer. For example, you use a knee kicker and explain that it is OK to use this on a small room such as the bedroom you installed. Name one manufacture that recommends the use of only a knee kicker for such installation?

1. Read the CRI Installation standard

2. Attend proper training

[erikfijolek]

i think who ever tought you how to stretch a room in should go back to the basics, the backing has to be released, i understand kicking away from the hallway but then you should set the whole closet wall and continue to kick to the left corner of the room and stop about 3 feet then go back to your width cause now the backing has been broken, now u can go into closet with light taps then take good shots on the width till u get close to the corner then go back to length for the last 3 feet ..

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@erikfijolek what are you talking about that the backing has to be released? I have never heard that the" backing

can be broken". I go to at least 2 manufacturers sales and seminar events a year and have been actively been installing for about 27 years and have never heard this before.

[ShowMeTheFloor]

Glad I could help let me know if you have any questions!

[dbbigdaddy]

@ShowMeTheFloor can't tell you how much this video helped me today. i usually only clean carpets but a little old lady asked me if i could get the wrinkles out of her living room when i came to clean her house. thanks for the vid and the extra money,lol.

[TheCraftastical]

I just got through watching your video on installing carpet and I was amazed at how easy you made it look. Thank you for the video! I was feeling a little down thinking that my husband and I were gonna have to spend alot of money that we didn't have on getting our carpet replaced and thanks to your informative and much needed tutorial, we now have the confidence that we need to move forward. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your blessed gift from God to teach others.

[misslaidlaw]

Thanks for this. I plan to move into my new home soon and I plan on doing the DIY myself by folowing professional videos like this one, that shows me the correct way to install carpet.

[SouthernVoice2010]

With the economy the way it is it saves to do it yourself when you can. Thank you so much for posting the video. It has been very helpful. Most ppl go through it so fast an don't take time to really explain it in detail but this video was very very helpful! Thanks again :)

[ShowMeTheFloor]

Your right!

[lilgooberhead]

It's not about getting it done fast, it's about getting it done right. I like how there are so many questions being asked that were already answered in the video. If you would take the time to actually watch and listen.

[VHSarchive]

Thanks!



[Joeyarhino1]

Thanks so much for the cool video. Ive been hesitant about installing carpet in my house because I've never done anything like it before. You make it look easy. You give me the confidence to try it. If all else fails i'll just rip it out and hire someone to do it. But I dont think I will have any problems. Thanks again for your informative video

[ShowMeTheFloor]

Sounds like a great tip !

[WayneDavisRocks]

good tut, but I have found that if you put a piece of tape on your stair tool then you dont scratch the baseboards up so much, Home owners appreciate this as well as contractors who may have just painted, and fresh paint is very easy to scratch up

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@WayneDavisRocks Thanks for the tip!



[WayneDavisRocks]

@ShowMeTheFloor no prob great video thanks for the tips yourself

[WayneDavisRocks]

I must respond again a give props to the very fast and efficient instalation of the carpet in this room 12 min to lay out a room is very good

[tscat68]

@WayneDavisRocks Yeah...Hes marking up all the baseboards!!



[canamm]

Hey, thanks for the vid! I've got two rooms to do and I'm not one for letting someone else do my work for me. I've watched a couple videos and read a couple articles on how to install carpet but your video seems to be the most comprehensive. You make it look easy, I hope I can do it this easy!

[grandpaspider1]

sorry but i`ve been in the trade 30 yrs and was always told by my seniors to always use a strecher no matter the size of the room due to the fact that not all carpets are not made the same, by this i mean the way there made,never to reley on just a kicker,,not only is it also a good way to ruin your knees,, leave it for the small areas as intended

[mistajef]

Thanks for the vid! I was asked by a friend to install a carpet for him and I said no prob - he said he asked another guy to install carpet in a different room and it was bumpy - he said the guy didnt use a kicker - I wouldnt have either, if I hadnt watched this

Thank you

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@mistajef No problem Good luck with it. Remember to put alot of weight on the head of the kicker so you dont rip the carpet and keep the kicker behind the tack strip.

[QiQsy]

At 6:46 u scuffed the door jam with ur stairtool..nice

[ramitupursnout]

Great Video, thanks!

Is it possible to install a small bedroom with just a kicker? Some people have told me you need a stretcher also. Are kicking and stretching two different things? Sorry for the silly questions but I'm trying to learn.

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@ramitupursnout Yes it is possible, as long as the bedroom is 12x15 or less, the carpet is warm, the correct stretching pattern is used, the kicker is used properly and the tackless is properly installed. Kicking can also be stretching. You can use a light kick to set your walls that you are stretching away from and a hard kick to stretch away from a set wall. Make sure your kicker head is behind the tackstrip. Of course Power stretchers are always recommended and easier on the knees. Lol!

[ramitupursnout]

@ShowMeTheFloor Thank you so much for all the info in your answer! I love your Videos, they are really helpful, once again, thank you for showing us weekend warriors how the pros do it. I respect your work.

[wesmander]

Good work fella , but no snickers !

[Mobberley9596]

This is a brilliant video and a great guide well done dude

[roger00420]

are you certified? that looks like certified work and i dont want to be certified if it takes that long!!!

[FrustratedBaboon]

This guy blew my mind when I saw him work !!!! I am not going to attempt this on $1000.00 rug and padding for 22x15 room I just bought. Can you come to my house ? Wow this guy knows what hes doing !!!!

[1020Shane]

my daddy said i wouldn't amount to nothing in my life. He was right, so i have to watch this stuff on youtube because i can't aford to hire someone to do it.

[livefreeinuk1]

@1020Shane my daddy said i could be anything i want when i grew up. so i grew up and became an ass hole

[1020Shane]

@livefreeinuk1 good to know.

[ltcolsin2025]

Great nsturctional video, answers any question you might have for an instructor even down to the tools needede for the job. The video was clear and the room was well lit, down to even seeing the texture of the carpet.

[michaelh79gmail]

Great video. What precautions should I take to not damage the baseboard?

[ridintillimdyin]

Great video! Planning my first carpet attempt for my top of the stairs hallway this weekend- this should prove very helpful!

Now, to find out how to seam onto adjacent carpet and do the stairs...

[TubErSkillZ]

i try not to trim much depending on the carpet n weather i try to cut the carpet so when i streach it just falls in perfect

[Koolectionz]

GREAT JOB DUDE! A VERY WELL DONE TUTORIAL...

[vvolfman2121]

this video is the best one ive seen so far nice work!!

[irimanan27]

you should do muay thai, lol

[motoxlover604]

Hey mate how come you don't use a bully jr. That carpet must be loose as ,And you take a long time even tho your showing people how to do it, give you a tip I'm a 2nd year apprentice I could do that room in 5 minutes leave all the trimming till the end lots quicker

[ShowMeTheFloor]

@motoxlover604 i have never heard of a bully jr, are you referring to a Roberts mini power stretcher? A room this small can be kicked in as long as you are using the right stretching pattern and providing the carpet is warm enough. I've been installing carpet for 25 years and I have very few restretches.

[TubErSkillZ]

@motoxlover604 idk about 5 mins ..lol u use the blade to trip at the end too if its hot kicker will do the sreacher takes about 5 just to arm

[TubErSkillZ]

@TubErSkillZ I use the blade to trim *

[TsarBombaFTMFW]

@motoxlover604 This is a great instructional video.

I think many of us have been into the type of homes in which you say you can do this type of room in 5 minutes.

Hint: the homes you've worked on are garbage and are no longer worth any more than the land they sit on.

[axegrinder5150]

Some people just know how to make a video, yours are outstanding! Do you have or plan to make a video demonstrating padding, as well as, doing a narrow hallway? Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[NESS1967]

very good job m8,,,,worlds apart,,,only diff is i dnt use a wall trimmer,,,just strech hook n back cut carpet,,,,no contact wit the skirting boards,,,,,,,u strech the exact same way as i do,,,,r i do the way you do,,,lol,,,,,none the less,,,,a very neat job,,,,fair play

[2kthig]

You make it look very easy!! Great job though thanks!!

[zendez33]

Thank you very much for the video. I am doing my first carpet install next weekend and this video helped alot...

[ShowMeTheFloor]

No, there's a very specific way you kick it with the top of your knee/thigh. I've been doing this for 30 years and still have good knees!

[ShowMeTheFloor]

...over on each side

[ShowMeTheFloor]

thanks for the view tom, the closet at this particular job was done in one piece. A good wall trimmer will generally cost about $50 but they are very useful. As far as the trim goes it doesn't really matter, although it does give you something to tuck the carpet under. The rough cut of the carpet was about 6"

[bluelintball]

it looks too easy...

[lookoutlegolas]

dude, thanks for the vid. 11 minites later your done! how much bigger was the rough in and how much are one of the wall trimmer? is the closet of the same piece or is it seamed beforhand? i notice the wall trim is already on , is it easier if the trim is off? -Tom'

[norcoauctions]

thanks alot. you made it look easy. I want to try to do a room now.

peace, bobby